ai4bharat/Pralekha huggingface dataset:
Ministry of Steel
Demand and Production of Steel
The announcements in Budget for the Financial Year, 2021-22 viz. Capex allotment of Rs. 1,07,100 crore for Railways, 2.87 lakh crore outlay for Jal Jeevan Mission, Construction of roads under Bharatmala Pariyojana project, Swachh Bharat Mission 2.0, Scheme for Mega Textile Parks etc. will lead to increased demand for steel in the country. The Vision for Atmanirbhar Bharat and the Production Linked Incentive  Scheme will also help attract capital investments and thereby enhance demand and production of steel in the country. The Government has also approved inclusion of 'Speciality Steel' under the PLI Scheme.
The production and consumption of total finished steel  in India during the period from April to June, 2020 had declined substantially as compared to the corresponding period last year. However, the production and consumption have shown sharp recovery subsequently and substantial increase in recent months. In December, 2020, production and consumption were 9.32 MT and 9.68 MT, showing growth of 1.08% and 11.91% on month-on-month basis respectively compared to the corresponding period last year. The details of month wise production and consumption during April, 2019-20 and 2020-21 are given below:-
|
|
Month
|
|
Production 
|
|
% Change 
|
|
Consumption 
|
|
% Change 
|
|
|
|
2019-20
|
|
2020-21|
|
2019-20
|
|
2020-21
|
|
April
|
|
8.67
|
|
1.57
|
|
- 81.89
|
|
7.33
|
|
1.09
|
|
-85.13
|
|
May
|
|
9.04
|
|
5.52
|
|
- 38.94
|
|
8.85
|
|
4.79
|
|
-45.88
|
|
June
|
|
8.83
|
|
6.94
|
|
-21.40
|
|
8.59
|
|
6.35
|
|
-26.08
|
|
July
|
|
8.61
|
|
8.13
|
|
-5.57
|
|
8.57
|
|
7.69
|
|
-10.27
|
|
August
|
|
8.36
|
|
8.56
|
|
2.39
|
|
9.19
|
|
8.16
|
|
-11.21
|
|
September
|
|
8.11
|
|
8.52
|
|
5.06
|
|
8.45
|
|
8.45
|
|
0
|
|
October
|
|
8.32
|
|
9.08
|
|
9.13
|
|
8.83
|
|
9.33
|
|
5.66
|
|
November
|
|
8.57
|
|
8.90
|
|
3.85
|
|
7.77
|
|
9.08
|
|
16.86
|
|
December
|
|
9.22
|
|
9.32
|
|
1.08
|
|
8.65
|
|
9.68
|
|
11.91
|
|
January
|
|
9.11
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
9.17
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
February
|
|
8.57
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
8.55
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
March
|
|
7.20
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
6.21
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
Source: JPC,provisional data for 2020-21
This information was given by the Union Minister for Steel Shri Dharmendra Pradhan in a written reply in the Lok Sabha today.
Finance Commission
Finance Commission gets presentation from IMF on Resource Mobilisation for the Next Five Years
A Team consisting of Mr. Ruud De Mooij, Division Chief, Mr. Arbind Modi, Senior Economist and Ms. Li Lui, Economist from the Tax Policy Division of theInternational Monetary Fund , Fiscal Affairs Department,gave a presentation to the 15th Finance Commission on “resource mobilization over the next five years”, today. Some members of the Finance Commission’s Economic Advisory Council also participated in the discussions, which was chaired by Sh. N.K. Singh, Chairman,Finance Commission.
The discussions were centered around options for improving the tax resources of the general government, with special focus on improving the revenue realization from the GST. It was presented that the current collections are significantly below an estimated revenue frontier for the country, arrived at using robust panel data analysis of comparator countries. It was further discussed that rationalization of the rate structure as well as improvements in compliance and collection efficiency of GST and other taxes can move India much closer to the frontier. Policy options to achieve this improvement were also discussed.
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
Update on COVID-19 Vaccine Availability in States/UTs
More than 193.53 Crore vaccine doses provided to States/UTs
More than 11.59 Crore balance and unutilized vaccine doses still available with States/UTs
The Union Government is committed to accelerating the pace and expanding the scope of COVID-19 vaccination throughout the country. The nationwide COVID 19 vaccination started on 16th January 2021. The new phase of universalization of COVID-19 vaccination commenced from 21st June 2021. The vaccination drive has been ramped up through availability of more vaccines, advance visibility of vaccine availability to States and UTs for enabling better planning by them, and streamlining the vaccine supply chain.
As part of the nationwide vaccination drive, Government of India has been supporting the States and UTs by providing them COVID Vaccines free of cost. In the new phase of the universalization of the COVID19 vaccination drive, the Union Government will procure and supply  75% of the vaccines being produced by the vaccine manufacturers in the country to States and UTs.
|
|
VACCINE DOSES
|
|

|
|
SUPPLIED
|
|
1,93,53,58,865
|
|
BALANCE AVAILABLE
|
|
11,59,52,475
More than 193.53 crore  vaccine doses have been provided to States/UTs so far through Govt. of India  and through direct state procurement category.
More than 11.59 Cr  balance and unutilized COVID Vaccine doses are still available with the States/UTs to be administered.
Competition Commission of India
CCI approves acquisition of stake in Ecom by PG Esmeralda
The Competition Commission of India  approves acquisition of stake in Ecom by PG Esmeralda.
The proposed combination envisages acquisition of stake in Ecom Express Private Limited  by PG Esmeralda Pte. Limited .
PG Esmeralda is controlled by investment entities that are ultimately controlled by Partners Group AG or its affiliates . Partners Group is said to be a global private market investment manager, headquartered in Switzerland. It invests in a variety of companies in sectors such as IT and IT enabled services, healthcare, real estate, consumer products, banking and non-banking financial services.
Ecom is a company incorporated in India. It carries on the business of providing third party logistics  services in India.
Detailed order of the CCI will follow.
Prime Minister's Office
PM greets people on Vishwakarma Jayanti
Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has greeted the people on the occasion of Vishwakarma Jayanti.
In a tweet, the Prime Minister said, "विश्वकर्मा जयंती की सभी देशवासियों को बहुत-बहुत शुभकामनाएं। आज का दिन उन लोगों को समर्पित है, जिनके लिए कर्म ही पूजा है, जो अपने सृजन से संपूर्ण मानवता को समृद्ध करते हैं।"
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
COVID - 19 Vaccination Update - Day 453
India’s cumulative vaccination coverage crosses 186.21 Crore
More than 12 lakh Vaccine doses administered today till 7 pm
More than 2.36 Crore Vaccine Doses administered to 12-14 age group so far
India’s COVID-19 vaccination coverage has crossed 186.21 Crore  today. More than 12 lakh  Vaccine Doses have been administered till 7 pm today. More than 2.36 Crore  vaccine doses have been administered to 12-14 years age group so far. More than 2.49 Crore  Precaution Doses for the identified categories of beneficiaries  for COVID vaccination have been administered so far. The daily vaccination tally is expected to increase with the compilation of the final reports for the day by late tonight.
The cumulative coverage of vaccine doses, segregated based on population priority groups, is as follows:
|
|
Cumulative Vaccine Dose Coverage
|
|
HCWs
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
10404268
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
10007224
|
|
Precaution Dose
|
|
4574390
|
|
FLWs
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
18414179
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
17524163
|
|
Precaution Dose
|
|
7089243
|
|
Age Group 12-14 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
23640346
|
|
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
29818
|
|
Age Group 15-18 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
57797849
|
|
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
40089052
|
|
Age Group 18-44 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
555177179
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
471650474
|
|
Precaution Dose
|
|
13400
|
|
Age Group 45-59 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
202839410
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
186575984
|
|
Precaution Dose
|
|
48557
|
|
Over 60 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
126805687
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
116220796
|
|
Precaution Dose
|
|
13208908
|
|
Cumulative 1st dose administered
|
|
995078918
|
|
Cumulative 2nd dose administered
|
|
842097511
|
|
Precaution Dose
|
|
24934498
|
|
Total
|
|
1862110927
Today’s achievement in the vaccination exercise, segregated by population priority groups, is as follows:
|
|
Date: 13th April, 2022 
|
|
HCWs
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
47
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
597
|
|
Precaution Dose
|
|
11070
|
|
FLWs
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
90
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
1049
|
|
Precaution Dose
|
|
23645
|
|
Age Group 12-14 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
381496
|
|
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
29790
|
|
Age Group 15-18 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
39972
|
|
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
133172
|
|
Age Group 18-44 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
32477
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
374702
|
|
Precaution Dose
|
|
3410
|
|
Age Group 45-59 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
4330
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
76234
|
|
Precaution Dose
|
|
12942
|
|
Over 60 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
3262
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
49418
|
|
Precaution Dose
|
|
107046
|
|
Cumulative 1st dose administered
|
|
461674
|
|
Cumulative 2nd dose administered
|
|
664962
|
|
Precaution Dose
|
|
158113
|
|
Total
|
|
1284749
The vaccination exercise as a tool to protect the most vulnerable population groups in the country from COVID-19 continues to be regularly reviewed and monitored at the highest level.
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
Steps taken to Improve Coverage under AB-PMJAY Scheme
10.74 crore poor and vulnerable families identified on the basis of SECC 2011 data are entitled to receive free treatment under the scheme
Ayushman Bharat–Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana  is an entitlement-based scheme. Eligible beneficiaries can directly visit any empanelled public or private hospital to avail cashless treatment. Ayushman cards are issued to the beneficiaries to create awareness about the scheme. National Health Authority in association with State Health Agencies has fast-tracked the process of issuance of cards to the beneficiaries across the country.
Healthcare services including primary, secondary and tertiary are provided free to all citizens of the country in Central/State Government hospitals. PMJAY’s beneficiary database is defined. 10.74 crore poor and vulnerable families  identified on the basis of SECC 2011 data are entitled to receive free treatment under the scheme. Further, States/UTs have the flexibility to run their own health protection schemes in alliance with AB-PMJAY at their own cost. Accordingly, States/UTs have expanded the scheme coverage to 14.75 crore beneficiary families at their own cost.
To cover each eligible person as per the 2011 Census under the scheme, guidelines are issued to States/UTs to identify beneficiaries as per deprivation/occupational criteria of SECC
and to meet the shortfall in terms of number of eligible beneficiary households vis-à-vis those already identified/verified using their own datasets.
Details of steps taken to improve registrations under the scheme are as under:
- Leveraging grassroots network of healthcare workers , frontline workers , Panchayati Raj institutions , village level entrepreneurs  / agents from CSC and UTIITSL to mobilize and verify beneficiaries under “Aapke Dwar Ayushman”  initiative.
- Leveraging the updated databases of welfare schemes of Central Government Ministries/Departments for better targeting of PMJAY beneficiaries to reach out to eligible individuals from this list to issue Ayushman cards to them.
- Four additional agencies on-boarded, along the lines of CSC and UTIITSL for the generation of Ayushman cards across the country.
- Eight additional agencies on-boarded to ensure immediate approval of Ayushman card requests.
- An enhanced location hierarchy-based search option enabled in SECC database to access village level beneficiary data.
- A revamped “Self BIS” system launched for self / assisted verification.
- Crowd sourced approval functionality enabled for beneficiary record approval.
The Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, Dr. Bharati Pravin Pawar stated this in a written reply in the Lok Sabha today.
Ministry of Law and Justice
Evaluation Study Of Criminal Justice System
The Minister of Law and Justice, Shri Kiren Rijiju in a written reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha today informed that the Department-related Parliamentary standing Committee on Home Affairs, in its 146th Report dated 23.06.2010, had recommended that there is a need for a comprehensive review of the Criminal Justice System of the country. Earlier the Parliamentary Standing Committee in its 111th and 128th Reports had also stressed upon the need to reform and rationalize the criminal law of the country by introducing a comprehensive legislation in Parliament rather than bringing about piecemeal amendments.
The need to re-visit the Criminal Laws from time to time cannot be over emphasized. However, amendments in criminal laws is a continuous process which involves wider consultations with all stakeholders and examination of Law Commission’s Reports, various Courts Judgements, various Committees reports on the subject. Meanwhile, the Government has brought out Criminal Law  Act, 2018, inter alia, amending the Indian Penal Code, 1860 and Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012  providing for increased minimum punishment for the offence of rape and gang rape of women and minor girls. In case of rape and gang rape of women below 12 years of age, the minimum punishment of twenty years extendable of life imprisonment or death has been prescribed.
A comprehensive review of criminal laws viz. Indian Penal Code , Criminal Procedure Code  and Indian Evidence Act is an ongoing process for bringing out further comprehensive legislation by taking into account the suggestions of all stakeholders.
Ministry of Commerce & Industry
APEDA and Indian Embassy, Azerbaijan organize virtual Buyer Seller Meeting with Azerbaijan for increasing exports of Basmati Rice to CIS country
In a bid to boost exports potential of India’s agricultural and processed food products exports, APEDA hasorganized a Virtual Buyer Seller Meet  in association with Indian Embassy in, Azerbaijan today. The meet brought together key stakeholders from the respective Governments and trade on a common platform for strengthening strategic cooperation between India and Azerbaijan in export of Basmati Rice.
Due to the ongoing Covid19pandemic, the export promotion programme were not possible to be organized physically. APEDA took a lead to organize Virtual BSM to provide a platform to the exporters and importers of India and Azerbaijan
This Virtual-BSM with Azerbaijan is the 16th in the series of such events organized by APEDA with various countries. Earlier such virtual Virtual-BSM was first organized with the United Arab Emirates  followed by Kuwait, Indonesia, Switzerland, Belgium, Iran, South Africa, Germany, The United States, Canada and Australia, Thailand and Nepal .
During the Virtual-BSM, presentations were made by of leading Basmati Rice Exporters. The National Confederation of Entrepreneurs  Organisations of the Repuyblicof Azerbaijan  explained their requirement or standards for Basmati Rice imports from India.
The Virtual BSM was joined by His Excellency Mr B. Vanlalvawna, Ambassador of India to Azerbaijan, Dr. M. Angamuthu, Chairman APEDA, Mr. S.S.Nayyar, General Manager, APEDA, Dr. Sudhanshu, Secretary, APEDA, Dr. D. D. K.Sharma, Director, APEDA, Mr. FuadHumbatov, Deputy Secretary General, The National Confederation of Entrepreneurs  Organisations of the Repuyblic of Azerbaijan , and Senior Officials of APEDA and Embassy of India, Azerbaijan, Indian Basmati Rice Exporters and rice importers of Azerbaijan.
Ever since the COVID pandemic, there is an increased shift of focus towards CIStrade partners by India for creating new opportunities for alliance in agricultural and processed food sector.
Ministry of Agriculture &
Farmers Welfare
Cabinet approves Minimum Support Price  for Raw Jute for 2023 -24 season
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by the Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, has given its approval for the Minimum Support Price  for Raw Jute for 2023-24 season. The approval is based on recommendations of the Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices .
The MSP of Raw Jute  has been fixed at Rs.5050/- per quintal for 2023-24 season. This would ensure a return of 63.20 percent over the all India weighted average cost of production. The announced MSP of raw jute for 2023-24 season is in line with the principle of fixing the MSP at a level of at least 1.5 times all India weighted average cost of production as announced by the Government in the Budget 2018-19.
It assures a minimum of 50 percent as margin of profit. It is one of the important and progressive steps towards ensuring better remunerative returns to the jute growers and to incentivize quality jute fibre.
The Jute Corporation of India  will continue as Central Government Nodal Agency to undertake Price Support Operations and the losses incurred, if any, in such operations, will be fully reimbursed by the Central Government.
Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
Global Carbon Budget
The Summary for Policy Makers  of the Working Group III contribution to the Sixth Assessment Report  of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change  [2022] has noted clearly that the contribution of entire Southern Asia including India is only about 4% of historical cumulative net anthropogenic emissions between 1850 and 2019, even though the region includes almost 24% of the global population. As per Working Group I contribution to the AR6 report of the IPCC, the term carbon budget is used in several ways. Most often the term refers to the total net amount of carbon dioxide  that can still be emitted by human activities while limiting global warming to a specified level. India’s current annual per capita emissions will increase to meet its developmental needs and aspirations, in accordance with the principle of Common but Differentiated Responsibilities and Respective Capabilities  and National Circumstances.
Government of India nominates delegation for several IPCC conferences and sessions from time to time. Government had sent Indian Delegation for the recently held 59th Session of IPCC during 24-28 July, 2023 at Nairobi, Kenya.
This information was given by Union Minister of State for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Shri Ashwini Kumar Choubey in a written reply in the Lok Sabha today.
Ministry of Labour & Employment
CLC reviews implementation of Labour Laws and new Labour Codes with NHPC and BRO officials in HP
Chief Labour Commissioner and DG Labour Bureau Shri DPS Negi reviewed the status of sensitization and implementation of labour laws and labour codes in NHPC and BRO projects in Himachal Pradesh.In separate meetings, Shri Negienquired about the prevailing labour issues at Parvati-2 and Parvati-3 projects of NHPC at Nagwain. He also studies different activities going on in Parvati Power Station at Bihali.
GMs in-charge of both the projects briefed the CLC-cum-DG Labour regarding the compliance with various labour laws.ShriNegi expressed satisfaction about the compliance status of labour laws in the two projects of NHPC.
Chief Labour Commissioner and DG, Labour Bureau also visited the Atal tunnel and met senior officials from Border Road Organisation  and contractors engaged in various activities of the tunnel. In the meeting, Officials from BRO which is a road construction organization, formed in 1960 under the Ministry of Defence, made detailed presentation elaborating work and other related aspects of the tunnel. Mr. Negi explained to the officials from BRO and contractors about the importance of implementation of labour laws and new labour codes. He elucidated how compliance with new labour codes is a win-win situation for both the employees and the employers.
The tunnel, with a length of over nine kms, has been built under the Rohtang pass by the Border Road Organisation. It has improved the connectivity, considerably reducing the travel time and overall distance between Manali and Keylong.
Ministry of Agriculture &
Farmers Welfare
India-Australia cooperation and collaboration in the field of Agriculture
Union Agriculture Minister Shri Narendra Singh Tomar reviews collaboration in the field of Agriculture in a virtual meeting with his Australian counterpart
A virtual meeting between Shri Narendra Singh Tomar, Minister for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare and Mr. David Littleproud MP, Australian Minister for Agriculture, Drought & Emergency Management, was held on 1st June, 2021. It was acknowledged that the frequent engagement between the two Nations at the highest level has resulted in significant progress in many spheres of the bilateral relations during the last five years.
The two Ministers met to follow up on the collaboration in field of agriculture highlighted in the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership announced by Prime Ministers of India and Australia at their Summit on 4th June 2020. The India - Australia Grains Partnership was a significant inclusion aiming to use Australia’s expertise in post harvest management to strengthen rural grain storage and supply chains so as to reduce losses and wastage. Shri Tomar expressed satisfaction at the progress being made in this area of cooperation between the two countries and informed that National Institute of Agricultural Marketing will be the nodal organisation from India.
Both the Ministers expressed satisfaction on the progress of giving Market access to the respective Agricultural products and shared technical information with each other. Australia has recently given market access for export of Indian pomegranates. There would be a joint strategy for deeper access for Indian mangoes and pomegranates in Australian markets led by the Indian High Commission in Canberra also. The Australian Minister assured to fast track the Indian requests for market access for okra and pomegranate arils.
On the issue of closer cooperation between India and Australia in multilateral fora like FAO and G20 raised by the Minister of Australia, Shri Tomar said that he looked forward for closer dialogue between likeminded countries. He suggested that climate change was one area where there was great opportunity for India and Australia to work together since both countries had similar commitments. He mentioned the flagship program of National Innovation for Climate Resilient Agriculture and said collaboration could be set up with the research organisations of Australia.